Assault on Ambujashree, Railway Employees Demand Safety and Protection for Families
Mangaluru: The employees of Southern Railway staged a protest against the assault on one of the employee’s wife, in front of the Central Railway station here on April 10.
The protesters marched in a procession inside the railway station. They also shouted slogans and demanded justice and safety to the employees and their families.
Speaking to mangalorean.com one of the protesters Jayachandran said, “On April 9, at around 1:30 pm, an unidentified person attempted to attack a woman when she was alone at home but failed in his attempt since the woman screamed for help. Later he entered another house belonging to Sachidananda from the rear door when his wife Ambujashree was alone. After he entered the house he assaulted Ambujashree and ransacked the house for valuables and cash. He decamped with 2 gold chains, earrings, and cash Rs 2000. Later I received a call from the quarters, I left my work and immediately reached the quarters.”
Jayachandran further said, “We work 24 X 7, whenever we get a call we need to rush to the spot. When we are on duty our wives and children stay at home. There is no safety for our family members. When I got a call about the assault I rushed to Sachidananda’s house, I also informed the police and they too reached the spot. We need safety for our families”, he said.
Anand from Southern Railways addressing the media persons said, “Every month we face such problems, The police are asking us to file a complaint but if we file a case we need to go to the court. Since we are working for 24 hours, it is very difficult for us or our families to attend the court. Many times we have lost our belongings. Miscreants steal from our house and compounds at least twice a month. Until now no action has been taken against such crimes. We need safety for our families”, he demanded.
Addressing the protesters Corporator Vinayraj said, “In the Railway colony there are more than 500 quarters. The railway employees work day and night but their families are not safe. A dacoit entered the house of Ambujashree and attempted to kill her. I have spoken to the Police commissioner and DCP’s to provide safety. The protesters do not belong to any political party. We need to show humanity and not politics. Women and children living in the quarters should be given protection. The quarters are very old and the condition of the doors is very bad if anyone pushes the door with a little force it will open.”
Vinayraj further said, “The Railway officials should come and see the living conditions of the employees in the quarters. I urge the Railway officials to renovate the quarters or build new housing for the employees. The Railway department should build a compound wall for the railway quarters”. He demanded the Union government to provide safety and security to the railway employees and their families.